Mizzou Vs. Uga

[moguy1973]

Well, the Tigers showed what they were really made of last night against a not so good Georgia team. I only got to see the 2nd half and when they had the chance to pull away, they would let UGA right back in it. They really aren't a very good team on the offensive boards this year.

[ruthead]

Don't play good defense, don't move their feet well, don't play help defense(that's not my man syndrome), nor good team offense. I've never been a fan of the " Gimme the ball and watch what I can do" offense. I love MU but am discouraged with this years style. Frank better get these guys turned around or it's gonna be a frustrating year. Thank goodness we've got some pure talent so at least we'll be in some games.

[moguy1973]

That last play before the end of regulation was horrible...

[stlfisher]

Yeah, that was a bad game. They don't run much of an offense, which is frustrating to watch.

They have some talent and more on the way, but it is probably a couple years, before they can really challenge the big guns.

[Quillback]

Arkansas started their SEC schedule with a thud. Pretty easily handled by A&M. Arkansas had an unusually large number of cup cake games on the schedule this year, so they have a deceivingly good record.

[Al Agnew]

I'm never one to start hollering to fire the coach after a bad game, but I don't like the trends, starting last year. I thought maybe Pressey was the problem last year, both on offense and defense, but it looks like the same problems are still there this year. Offense consists of a few meaningless passes out front and then Clarkson either calls for a screen at the top of the key or a clear-out and goes one on one, just as Pressey did last year. Clarkson is a lot better at taking it to the rim and finishing, but a lot worse at passing to the open man when he gets double and triple teamed. No off ball screens to free up Brown and Ross, who can hit threes. No going inside and kicking it back out. No interior passing at all. Yeah, I know the bigs are scoring challenged, but at some point you need to at least make the effort to get Williams the ball and see if he can do something with it.

And the defense last night regressed to last year, no moving the feet, no help, no way to stop dribble penetration.

It's beginning to look like 2011 was all on those guys who had played together for so long, and Haith was just along for the ride. Hate to say it, but I'm losing faith in Haith.

[ozark trout fisher]

Missouri is really in a terrible funk right now. They beat Auburn, but that was a painfully bad performance from wire to wire. I watched it and even though it was close, I did not find it exciting. Only frustration followed by relief that it was finally over.

Frank Haith will not be fired this season (unless we finish 4-14 in league play or something like that) but is he the long term answer? Because of his recruiting, I think so, but I'm not sure. If he can squeeze a tourney bid out of this team it will be pretty good. We must remember there is a lot of very young talent (as well as some good transfers sitting out their year now), and there is real hope that this team can mature together and be SEC title contenders in '14-15 and '15-16. Taken in whole, the season has been about what we expected coming in: an up and down year with a lot of new pieces. Right now the arrow is pointed down, but they are still capable of playing well, at least on an inconistent basis. If that happens to come against Kentucky or Florida it will likely make us forget that past few days.

So I'm hoping for the tournament, but an NIT bid wouldn't be terrible for a transitional season. Frankly, it's what I think we're headed for.

[Quillback]

Arkansas played Florida well yesterday, but mental mistakes, missed free throws, and a missed layup cost them in the end. Frustrating loss. Kentucky is up next.

[ozark trout fisher]

Arkansas will be fine. The Missouri game was so frustrating that I flipped over to that one for a decent amount of time.. The Hogs looked like a tournament team in that one, at least.

We are gonna get destroyed in Fayetteville.

[Al Agnew]

That was a strange game, with no flow at all thanks to lots and lots of whistles, many of them questionable on both sides. I thought Mizzou played somewhat better defense, and I was very happy the subs got in some good minutes. Post even looked like a basketball player once or twice, and Jones showed that he needs more playing time. Clark also played better, and Clarkson didn't spend the whole game driving the lane into double teams. Heck, they even tried to get the ball to the bigs once in a while.

I'm not sure all these transfers are the best way to go, though. I know Haith had to bring in transfers when Anderson left him with nothing coming in and a senior heavy team, but when players only have a year or two in the system, it's a little harder to get them all playing a team game. Plus, the lack of continuity makes it a little harder to really get interested in the players like you do over a four year period.

I was ready to throw in the towel on the season after the Georgia loss, but I did see some improvement on stuff I think needs to be improved. I'm...slightly hopeful.